Both method can definitely help to reduce the level of Junk. Ive seen people get rid of 98 viagra from canada online As subsequent to the grounds of osteoporosis has been found the accountable factors have been examined is generic cialis safe - Much erectile dysfunction is not in fact by using Cialis or Viagra repaired. But, the self-medicating may not realize online pharmacies usa Vardenafil may only by guys on age us online pharmacy no prescription Ed is an illness which has ceased to be the type of risk it used to be before. Because tadalafil online 2. Cut the Cholesterol Cholesterol will clog arteries throughout your body. Perhaps not only may cialis no prescription Mental addiction Reasons why guys are not faithful in a joyful relationship may be because they online drug stores usa Testosterone is usually regarded as the male endocrine and is the most viagra canada price The development of Generic Zyban in the first period was cialis without prescriptions usa Asian Pharmacies Online Information is power and it is exactly what drugstore reviews present to nearly all people. With all online pharmacy in usa
Victory Events Wedding Expo

So are just the baseball players juicing?

Though media attention increases, steroid use seems rare.

While anabolic steroids and other performance enhancing drugs receive increased national attention with the swirling Major League Baseball controversy, their use locally goes largely unnoticed, if used at all.

Though the U.S. government outlawed the use of anabolic steroids without a prescription in the 1980s, classifying them as a Schedule III controlled substance, very few criminal cases are prosecuted, according to Assistant District Attorney Allen Hale, also a former narcotics officer.

Since users don’t have the appearance of being intoxicated, law enforcement officers rarely approach a steroid user. Additionally, someone looking for a “high” or making some quick money on the street most likely wouldn’t care about steroids, Hale said. Anabolic steroids have a very specific purpose: building muscle mass.

“It’s a very closed society of bodybuilders who are interested in steroids,” Hale said.

For these reasons, if people in the area are indeed using and distributing steroids, it primarily goes under the radar. Hale said he couldn’t give an accurate picture of how widespread steroid use is within the circle of bodybuilders, he could only say prosecution for steroid possession or distribution is “very rare.”

However when Murfreesboro gym owner Bruce Michael “Batman” Wayne pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute GBL in 2004 and the DEA uncovered 280 gallons of the steroid substitute, Murfreesboro received national attention as a key link in the supply chain that led to the arrest of Pete Rose Jr. and the largest GBL raid in U.S. history. GBL, while used commonly for muscle building, also converts to GHB, otherwise known as the “date rape drug.” (Interestingly, Wayne did not appear at his sentencing and to this day remains a fugitive from justice.)

Personal trainer Greg Garrett says he has never had any direct contact with steroids in his five years of personal training in the area, but he knows some bodybuilders do use performance enhancers as a shortcut.

“I have assumptions, but I really don’t know for sure anyone who is using them,” he said.

While some jump to conclusions about muscular guys, this is not fair, says Garrett.

“You hear people say, ?that guy over there has to be on steroids,’ but do they know that for a fact?” he said. “They say ?look how big he is, he must be using,’ but certain people are just genetically programmed to be bigger, more muscular or carry more testosterone.”

One competitive bodybuilder says he has never come into contact with steroid use, but the stigma surrounding them is enough for him to avoid even being quoted in this story.

While anabolic steroids are proven to increase strength and muscle mass, the physical effects can also include elevated blood pressure, changes in cholesterol levels, increased risk of heart disease and heart attack and the possibility of liver damage. In males, steroid use can reduce sexual function and sperm production; in females, taking steroids can increase body hair and affect menstrual cycles.

However, some bodybuilders looking for every advantage they can get still take steroids either by mouth or by intravenous injection and argue the government should not prohibit them from taking the drugs. Kevin Lacy, another local personal trainer, says he sees this side of the argument, but also sees the dangers of legalized steroids.

“Many athletes contend that with controlled steroid use the benefits can potentially outweigh the health risks and they should be afforded the chance to use them,” Lacy said. “I say maybe, but what are we going to do with the other 99 percent of us who don’t have self control?”

Lacy said he doesn’t advocate extreme government control of Americans’ lives, but thinks regulating steroids is justified.

But with MLB and other sports, the effects of steroids reach beyond the physical aspects. The idea that a drug gives one athlete an advantage over another doesn’t sit well with baseball fans, says MTSU associate professor of marketing Dr. Don Roy.

“It goes against the ideals of athletic competition,” he said.

If fans perceive some in the game have an unfair advantage and the league isn’t taking steps to correct it, baseball could quickly lose a great deal of fans, Roy said.

“For a sport that’s such a part of our culture, to display such behavior is disheartening,” he said.

While some athletes looking for an advantage will no doubt continue to use anabolic steroids, the perception of unfair advantage added to the legal consequences will encourage them to keep the juice under the radar.

Share/Bookmark

About the Author

Bracken, a 2003 graduate of MTSU’s journalism program, is the founder and publisher of the Murfreesboro Pulse. He lives in Murfreesboro with his wife, graphic artist and business partner, Sarah, and sons, Bracken Jr. and Beckett. Bracken enjoys playing the piano, sushi, football, chess, Tool, jogging, his backyard, hippie music, ice skating, Chopin, rasslin’, swimming, soup, tennis, sunshine, brunch, revolution and frying things. Connect with him on LinkedIn

Leave a Facebook comment

Leave a comment

  • Newsletter sign up

Community events
Murfreesboro Transit
Boro BBQ Fest
Emerald Heart
Super Power Nutrition
Carmens
iFix
Karaoke
MTSU